Page 26, Line 26 by Paul White
Inspired by page 26, line 26 of 'Dancers on a Plane' by John Cage, Merce Cunningham, and Jasper Johns.
A presentation to the senators of New York State, January 1st 1889.
“The right hand side of the drawing shows an arm. The arm of my invention, gentlemen,” said Alfred.
“What are the straps for, sir?” Asked Governor, van Wyck.
“The condemned person may involuntarily go into convulsions, sir, when the voltage passes through his, or her, body. The straps prevent such a body from convulsing so violently that it would be ejected from the chair.”
Alfred now revealed the full drawing to them.
“I see,” said the governor, “and you consider this apparatus to be a civilised method of execution, do you, sir?”
“Governor, Thomas Edison himself has declared that my electric chair is, and I quote from his letter sent in support of my invention ‘quick, effective, painless, and humane.’”
“When the criminal sits in it,” boomed a voice from the back of the room, “might he not simply lean back and put his feet up?”
“Ain’t hanging the best way for a criminal to put his feet up, sir?” shouted another.
The Governor banged his ceremonial gavel.
“I will not tolerate interruptions in this senate room. If do you have objections, gentlemen, we shall provide opportunity for you to submit them in due course. Pray, continue, Mr Southwick.”
Senator Smith raised his hand. “Are you not a dentist by profession, Mr Southwick?”
“Yes, sir, I am,” answered Alfred.
“Should this chair, then, not resemble the dentist’s chair? So that it can be raised or lowered to accommodate the stature of the condemned person?”
“No sir. I consider such refinement unnecessary. Indeed, discomfort is the very essence of my chair.”
Paul White